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At least 1,441 records · Page 80

Microcraters on Apollo 15 and 16 rocks

Microcrater frequency distributions, determined for 11 Apollo 16 rocks and three Apollo 15 rocks, fall into four categories. Category 1 rocks (68415, 68416, 62235) are angular, cratered on one side only, and have moderate crater densities. Category 2 rocks (60016, 66075, 61175) are subrounded, cratered on all sides, and have distributions suggestive of the steady state. Category 3 rocks (61015, 62295) are subangular and cratered on only one side, but the crater frequency distributions have some of the characteristics of category 2 rocks. Category 4 rocks (15015, 15017, 15076, 60335) are angular, cratered on only one side, and have moderated to very low crater densities. The crater frequency distributions of categories 1 and 4 have properties indicating the possibility of estimating the time they were exposed to micrometeor bombardment. Category 1 rocks appear to have been exposed for 2 to 3 m.y. These rocks, particularly 68415, 68416, and 69935, may be ejecta from South Ray Crater, indicating an age of 2 to 3 m.y. for South Ray Crater. Category 4 rocks have been exposed for much shorter periods.

Morrison, D. A.↗

OSO-7 observations of solar X-rays in the energy range 10-100 keV

Data on 123 hard X-ray bursts observed by the satellite OSO-7 between Oct. 10, 1971 and June 6, 1972 are described and evaluated. Typical duration of a burst is 100 sec. Average spectral indices lie between 3.5 and 5.5 for two-thirds of the 123 bursts, with a median of 4.6. In some events a soft-hard-soft pattern is observed, but there are numerous examples in which the spectrum softens continuously throughout the burst. The mean shape of the hard X-ray time profile as measured by the full width at half maximum does not depend on burst amplitude; nor does the spectral hardness correlate with the flux. The distribution of burst peak fluxes and the observation of large soft X-ray bursts without accompanying hard X rays suggest the existence of a distinct class of solar flares which emit only soft X rays. No center-to-limb variation was found in the frequency of occurrence of bursts or in the fraction with a nonthermal component. Estimates of the energy in the form of nonthermal electrons and in the flare plasma derived from these data indicate that the total amounts in each are comparable.

Datlowe, D. W.↗

A design procedure for active control of beam vibrations

The transverse vibrations of beams is discussed and a methodology for the design of an active damping device is given. The Bernoulli-Euler equation is used to derive a transcendental transfer function, which relates a torque applied at one end of the beam to the rotational position and velocity at that point. The active damping device consists of a wire, a linear actuator and a short torque arm attached to one end of the beam. The action of the actuator varies a tension in the wire and creates a torque which opposes the rotation of the beam and thus damps vibration. A design procedure for such an active damper is given. This procedure shows the relationships and trade-offs between the actuator stroke, power required, stress levels in the wire and beam and the geometry of the beam and wire. It is shown that by consideration of the frequency response at the beam natural frequencies, the aforementioned relationships can be greatly simplified. Similarly, a simple way of estimating the effective damping ratios and eigenvalue locations of actively controlled beams is presented.

Dickerson, S. L.↗

Propagation effects on satellite systems at frequencies below 10 GHz, a handbook for satellite systems design, 1st edition

Satellite communications below about 6 GHz may need to contend with ionospheric effects, including Faraday rotation and ionospheric scintillation, which become increasingly significant with decreasing frequency. Scintillation is most serious in equatorial, auroral, and polar latitudes; even the 4 to 6 GHz frequency range turns out to be subject to scintillation to a significant degree of equatorial latitudes. Faraday rotation, excess range or time delay, phase advance, Doppler frequency fluctuations, and dispersion are proportional to total electron content (TEC) or its variation along the path. Tropospheric refraction and fading affects low angle satellite transmissions as well as terrestrial paths. Attenuation and depolarization due to rain become less important with decreasing frequency but need consideration for frequencies of about 4 GHz and higher. Empirically derived relations are useful for estimating the attenuation expected due to rain for particular percentages of time. Aeronautical, maritime, and land mobile satellite services are subject to fading due to multipath propagation.

Flock, W. L.↗

LANDSAT 4 image data quality analysis

A comparative analysis of TM and MSS data was completed and the results indicate that there are half as many separable spectral classes in the MSS data than in TM. In addition, the minimum separability between classes was also much less in MSS data. Radiometric data quality was also investigated for the TM by computing power spectrum estimates for dark-level data from Lake Michigan. Two significant coherent noise frequencies were observed, one with a wavelength of 3.12 pixels and the other with a 17 pixel wavelength. The amplitude was small (nominally .6 digital count standard deviation) and the noise appears primarily in Bands 3 and 4. No significant levels were observed in other bands. Scan angle dependent brightness effects were also evaluated.

Anuta, P. E.↗

Development of visible/infrared/microwave agriculture classification and biomass estimation algorithms, volume 2

Agricultural crop classification models using two or more spectral regions (visible through microwave) were developed and tested and biomass was estimated by including microwave with visible and infrared data. The study was conducted at Guymon, Oklahoma and Dalhart, Texas utilizing aircraft multispectral data and ground truth soil moisture and biomass information. Results indicate that inclusion of C, L, and P band active microwave data from look angles greater than 35 deg from nadir with visible and infrared data improved crop discrimination and biomass estimates compared to results using only visible and infrared data. The active microwave frequencies were sensitive to different biomass levels. In addition, two indices, one using only active microwave data and the other using data from the middle and near infrared bands, were well correlated to total biomass.

Rosenthal, W. D.↗

Acoustic pressures emanating from a turbomachine stage

A knowledge of the acoustic energy emission of each blade row of a turbomachine is useful for estimating the overall noise level of the machine and for determining its discrete frequency noise content. Because of the close spacing between the rotor and stator of a compressor stage, the strong aerodynamic interactions between them have to be included in obtaining the resultant flow field. A three dimensional theory for determining the discrete frequency noise content of an axial compressor consisting of a rotor and a stator each with a finite number of blades are outlined. The lifting surface theory and the linearized equation of an ideal, nonsteady compressible fluid motion are used for thin blades of arbitrary cross section. The combined pressure field at a point of the fluid is constructed by linear addition of the rotor and stator solutions together with an interference factor obtained by matching them for net zero vorticity behind the stage.

Ramachandra, S. M.↗

Analysis of Jovian low frequency radio emissions

The density of ions in the Io plasma torus and the scattering of these ions by low frequency electromagnetic emissions detected by Voyager 1 were studied. The ion density profile was investigated using whistler dispersion measurements provided by the Voyager plasma instrument. The scale height and absolute density of H+ ions in the vicinity of the plasma torus were determined by combining the measured plasma densities with the whistler dispersion measurements. A theoretical analysis of the modes of propagation of low frequency electromagnetic emissions in the torus was undertaken. Polarization reversal effects and rough estimates of the ion diffusion coefficient were utilized. Numerical evaluation of the ion diffusion coefficients in the torus were made using the observed Voyager 1 wave intensities. Results show that the observed wave intensities produce significant ion diffusion effects in the ion torus.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

Acoustic pressures emanating from a turbomachine stage

A knowledge of the acoustic energy emission of each blade row of a turbomachine is useful for estimating the overall noise level of the machine and for determining its discrete frequency noise content. Because of the close spacing between the rotor and stator of a compressor stage, the strong aerodynamic interactions between them have to be included in obtaining the resultant flow field. This paper outlines a three-dimensional theory for determining the discrete frequency noise content of an axial compressor consisting of a rotor and a stator each with a finite number of blades. The lifting surface theory and the linearized equation of an ideal, nonsteady compressible fluid motion are used for thin blades of arbitrary cross section. The combined pressure field at a point of the fluid is constructed by linear addition of the rotor and stator solutions together with an interference factor obtained by matching them for net zero vorticity behind the stage.

Ramachandra, S. M.↗

Development of visible/infrared/microwave agriculture classification and biomass estimation algorithms

This paper describes the results of a study to determine if crop acreage and biomass estimates could be improved by using visible IR and microwave data. The objectives were to (1) develop and test agricultural crop classification models using two or more spectral regions (visible through microwave), and (2) estimate biomass by including microwave with visible and infrared data. Aircraft multispectral data collected during the study included visible and infrared data (multiband data from 0.5 m - 12 m), and active microwave data K band (2 cm), C band (6 cm), L band (20 cm), and P band (75 cm) HH and HV polarizations. Ground truth data from each field consisted of soil moisture and biomass measurements. Results indicated that C, L, and P band active microwave data combined with visible and infrared data improved crop discrimination and biomass estimates compared to results using only visible and infrared data. The active microwave frequencies were sensitive to different biomass levels; K and C being sensitive to differences at low biomass levels, while P band was sensitive to differences at high biomass levels.

Rosenthal, W. D.↗

A study of backscattering and emission from closely packed inhomogeneous media

The effects of close spacing between small scattering spheres were examined by keeping the distance-dependent terms in the expressions for the transverse scattered fields. The phase matrix was then derived from these fields and was used in the radiative transfer formulation to model scattering and emission from a densely populated, inhomogeneous layer. Computed results were compared with those obtained when the phase matrix was specialized to the far-field condition. It was found that the use of the far-zone condition tended to underestimate both the level of the copolarized backscattering and the cross-polarized backscattering. In emission computations, the use of the far-zone condition overestimated the level of the brightness temperature. These effects decreased with a decrease in the volume fraction or an increase in the exploring frequency, as expected. An improvement on the snow parameter (density and crystal size) estimation was shown to be possible when this new phase matrix was used.

Fung, A. K.↗

Pulse-timing study of Vela X-1 based on Hakucho and Tenma data - 1980-1984

The extensive observations of Vela X-1 acquired from 1980 to 1984 with the Hakucho and Tenma satellites, using a pulse-filtering technique that provides a significant improvement in pulse-timing precision, are reexamined. The details of the preparation of this data base, including the determination of updated orbital parameters based on these and previously published observations covering a 10-yr interval, are reported. Preparatory to estimation of angular-acceleration flux-correlation pairs, substantially improved estimates of the power density of fluctuations in the derivative of the pulse frequency on analysis periods between 0.5 and 80 days are presented. These results support the phenomenological hypothesis that unresolved fluctuations in the angular acceleration of the neutron star, describable as random noise, are responsible for the entire history of the observed variation in pulse frequency of Vela X-1 on all time scales longer than a few days.

Deeter, J. E.↗

Estimates of the solar internal angular velocity obtained with the Mt. Wilson 60-foot solar tower

Estimates are obtained of the solar internal angular velocity from measurements of the frequency splittings of p-mode oscillations. A 16-day time series of full-disk Dopplergrams obtained during July and August 1984 at the 60-foot tower telescope of the Mt. Wilson Observatory is analyzed. Power spectra were computed for all of the zonal, tesseral, and sectoral p-modes from l = 0 to 89 and for all of the sectoral p-modes from l = 90 to 200. A mean power spectrum was calculated for each degree up to 89. The frequency differences of all of the different nonzonal modes were calculated for these mean power spectra.

Rhodes, Edward J., Jr.↗

Radar polarimetry - Analysis tools and applications

The authors have developed several techniques to analyze polarimetric radar data from the NASA/JPL airborne SAR for earth science applications. The techniques determine the heterogeneity of scatterers with subregions, optimize the return power from these areas, and identify probable scattering mechanisms for each pixel in a radar image. These techniques are applied to the discrimination and characterization of geologic surfaces and vegetation cover, and it is found that their utility varies depending on the terrain type. It is concluded that there are several classes of problems amenable to single-frequency polarimetric data analysis, including characterization of surface roughness and vegetation structure, and estimation of vegetation density. Polarimetric radar remote sensing can thus be a useful tool for monitoring a set of earth science parameters.

Evans, Diane L.↗

Determining damping mechanisms in a composite beam by experimental modal analysis

A method of estimating the distributed damping parameters of a beam based on measured modal parameters (frequency and damping ratios) is derived. Three different mathematical models were used to model the damping mechanism of a quasi-isotropic pultruded cantilevered beam. These three models were (1) viscous (air) damping, (2) strain-rate damping, and (3) both viscous and strain-rate damping. Values were obtained for each of the damping models as well as the modulus of elasticity of the beam. It is found that the two-parameter damping model provides the best fit to measure modal data. However, the two-parameter damping model can only reproduce the measured damping ratios to within 85 percent.

Cudney, H. H.↗

Validation of the geostrophic method for estimating zonal currents at the equator from Geosat altimeter data

The applicability of satellite altimeter data for estimating zonal current variability at the equator is assessed using the meriodionally differenced form of the geostrophic balance. Estimates of geostrophic zonal flow anomalies in the equatorial Pacific have been deduced from 17-day collinear altimeter data during the first year of the Geosat Exact Repeat Mission. Altimeter-derived geostrophic estimates agree well with in situ zonal current variability. Comparison of flow-frequency near-surface zonal current observed from equatorial moorings at 165 deg E, 140 deg W, and 110 deg W yield correlations of 0.83, 0.85, and 0.51, respectively, with a mean rms difference of 23 cm/sec. The inclusion of up to 11 ascending and descending Geosat tracks within the 9-deg band for every 17-day repeat effectively reduced the temporal sampling interval to 1.5 days at 165 deg E and 140 deg W. The 6.8-km along track spacing of the altimeter measurements provides sufficient resolution for the effective filtering of small-scale meridional noise, both instrumental and oceanic.

Picaut, Joel↗

Continuous assimilation of Geosat altimetric sea level observations into a numerical synoptic ocean model of the California Current

The Geosat altimetric sea level observations for the period from January to December 1987 were continuously assimilated into a realistic wind-driven numerical synoptic ocean model of the California Current in order to evaluate the effectiveness of using a realistic synoptic ocean model for interpolating (dynamically) real altimetric sea level observations onto a regular grid. The accuracy of dynamical interpolation was tested by comparing the gridded sea level residuals to ones estimated from in situ observations (by expendable bathythermographs) collected in the California Current region during the same period. The comparison yielded nearly exact agreement at low frequency (i.e., semiannual cycle), but less agreement on month-to-month time scales of variability, possibly due to the unfiltered nature of the in situ estimates.

White, Warren B.↗

AMPTE CCE observations of Pc 3-4 pulsations at L = 2-6

Magnetic field data acquired by the AMPTE CCE satellite from L = 2-6 are analyzed. A procedure was specially developed to reduce the artificial modulation and noise in magnetic field measurements, making it possible to detect Pc 3-4 pulsations with amplitudes only 1 nT or less, even for L values less than 3. A survey of 41 CCE passes in L = 2-6 and in the postnoon sector showed that the most commonly observed pulsations in this region were the east-west oscillations of magnetic field with clearly L-dependent frequencies; these are identified as the toroidal mode standing Alfven waves. A relationship was found between the pulsation frequency and plasma density, showing that the pulsation data can be used to estimate the plasma mass density in the inner magnetosphere.

Takahashi, Kazue↗